Pissing THEM off a little can help US behave.

… nor do I foresee a single question which ought to excite party contention. still every question will excite it, because it is sufficient that we propose a measure, to produce opposition to it from the other party. a little of this is not amiss, as it keeps up a wholesome censorship on our conduct;To Ephraim Kirby, December 10, 1802

Patrick Lee’s ExplanationShrewd leaders appreciate the value of opposition.
In a previous post, Jefferson wrote that the country was doing so well, there was little to recommend to Congress in his annual report (State of the Union Address as we know it today). He expressed the same sentiment to Kirby, with nothing on the horizon to divide the republican party.

Yet they were bound to propose something, and it would of necessity cause the Federalist party to rally in opposition. That opposition in turn would keep the republican party on its toes, united in its focus and proper in its conduct.

“The address was fascinating history and presented with a flair that kept the audience spellbound.”Region 7 Conference Chair, National Academic Advising Association

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One Response to Pissing THEM off a little can help US behave.

Did you send this to President Trump before his State of the Union speech? As with Jefferson, Trump included comments that “excited the opposition party.” Maybe “excite” is not the right word; more like “sit on their hands and show disdain.”